MLB Picks: Philadelphia Phillies vs Boston Red Sox MLB Picks

Boston Red Sox vs Philadelphia Phillies MLB Picks: The Boston Red Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies play the second of a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park tonight in what could very well be a sneak-peak at this year’s World Series. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. (ET) and it will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.

Boston was completely shut down by Cliff Lee last night in a 5-0 loss as a 129 road underdog. The loss dropped the Red Sox to 45-33 on the year and they are now a game and a half behind New York in the AL East. They are 22-16 at home and 23-17 on the road.

The most powerful lineup in the Majors has been held in check over the past week with just 14 runs in the last six games. Adrian Gonzalez, who leads the league with 71 RBI, knocked in four of them. John Lackey will be on the mound tonight for Boston. He is 5-6 with a 7.36 ERA in 11 previous starts. Lifetime against the Phillies, he is 2-1 with an ERA of 3.44.

Philadelphia has now won five of its last seven games but has only been able to maintain its 4.5 game lead over Atlanta in the NL East. The Phillies are the first team this season to reach 50 wins and are 50-30 overall. They are 19-17 on the road, but a dominating 31-13 at home.

Run support for the top pitching staff in the Majors has been an issue this season as Philadelphia is ranked eighth in the NL in scoring with an average of 4.1 runs per game. Ryan Howard continues to do his part with a team-high 62 RBI and 16 home runs.

Vance Worley will get the start for an injured Roy Oswalt tonight. He has been excellent in his place with a 2-1 record and a 2.83 ERA in his previous six outings. Even more impressive is the fact that Worley has given up just one earned run in his last 11 innings pitched.

Head-to-head, the Red Sox won four of six games last season overall and went 2-1 on the road. The total was evenly split 3-3 but stayed ‘under’ in two of the three games in Philly.

Stick with Boston in this one as its lineup is poised for a big night after being held to just two hits in Tuesday’s loss.

Lines provided by BTB:

Boston Red Sox +112

Philadelphia Phillies -132

9.5 o -115

If you’re looking For Great MLB Picks, Check out the MLB Forums at Bang the Book!